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Marc was the latest to write in asking for guidance on how to choose between the different modular tool box systems currently available.

My question is now that you’ve had some time with all 3 storage systems, which one is your favorite, which one is the best bang for the buck( most places where I live don’t stock any of the systems, except the festool but everyone is willing to order them for me) which one do you use at home/work, and will there be a larger review of all three coming soon because you have had time to work with all of them?

It’s tough to answer this question because the options are not all directly comparable.

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Here’s what I own or have used:

Festool Systainers – I have a few Systainers in various sizes, with half my Systainers housing tools and the other half were purchased empty. I also recently purchased a Systainer tool box, which I like a lot.

Bosch L-Boxxes – As mentioned in my complete L-Boxx tool box review, which will soon be updated to reflect my impressions on the new products, I have more L-Boxxes than any of the other modular tool boxes.

I would say that 4 out of 5 of my L-Boxxes and ToughSystem cases were purchased during similar sales periods which typically only come around before Christmas and father’s Day.

Festool Systainers never go on sale.

Best Overall?

There’s no one right answer or best overall pick.

I would have to say Festool Systainers (T-Loc) come closest to being best. They open and close the quickest and stack the easiest. But I don’t have a lot of Festool Systainers for one simple reason – they’re expensive.

Dewalt’s ToughSystem cases are best for bigger and heavier loads, and I often fill them up to where I really do need to carry them with two hands. Luckily the handles at the sides make this possible.

L-Boxxes stack and lock together fairly easily, the smaller cases have front and top handles for added convenience, and they hold a fair amount of tools. I also like that Bosch continues to bring new products to the L-Boxx line each year and that they have a healthy selection of cordless tool kit and L-Boxx bundles.

I have more Bosch L-Boxxes than any of the other products. Bosch sent over quite a few but I also ordered a few dozen more. At last count I had about 80 L-Boxxes.

Most Durable?

Dewalt ToughSystem, period. These cases are made from structural foam and seal tight to keep tools and supplies isolated and protected from the elements.

L-Boxxes, Systainers, and Tstak cases are quite durable too, but the ToughSystem cases are just plain stronger and tougher.

The Tstak cases feel to be the lightest duty, especially when compared to ToughSystem cases. I would say that the Tstak tool boxes are similar in quality to the carrying cases Dewalt cordless tool kits are sometimes bundled with.

Modular Storage vs. JBOB

What benefits are there in using a modular storage system vs. just a bunch of tool boxes? Well, most other tool boxes are designed to be used by themselves. While they’re not quite one-size fits all, they’re not very flexible to use. If one tool box doesn’t quite fit your needs, you have to search out another brand, a longer box, or a different style.

Modular systems offer tool boxes that can be used individually or together. It’s about having options and the ability to customize your storage setup according to your needs.

As mentioned, I also have a couple of individual tool boxes in use, but I replaced most of my other ones with L-Boxxes. It’s just so much easier to work with smaller tool boxes that I can organize exactly as I want to, and at the end of the day they all stack together neatly and securely.

It is so much easier to use modular tool boxes to create separate tool and parts bundles that can be combined or separated depending on the project.

Not everyone is going to benefit from buying into a modular tool storage system, and that’s okay. But if you find yourself juggling multiple tool boxes and tend to carry around more than you need in a filled-to-the-brim standard-sized tool box, one of these discussed storage systems might better suit your needs.

Recommendations

Find a way to try one of each. It sounds like a hassle, but there’s no better way. I can tell you that one system is better than the others, but it simply wouldn’t be true.

I have purchased Festool Systainers, Bosch L-Boxxes, and Dewalt ToughSystem cases, and would purchase more L-Boxxes and ToughSystem cases without hesitation. Every now and then I purchase a Systainer or two here and there, but typically only for special cases. For instance, I bought one that fits sanding discs because it conveniently attaches to the systainer my sander is stored in.

I have not bought any Dewalt Tstak cases and don’t plan to buy any. They were on sale recently too and I still passed. They’re okay, and you might want to give them a try if you think the system might fit your needs. They’re a little small for my use and the configurations don’t work as well for how I currently use the other systems. To be fair, you should not dismiss the Tstak line just because I don’t favor it for my own use.

For most users, the choice comes down to ToughSystem vs. L-Boxx, which I discussed nearly a year ago. My L-Boxx and ToughSystem usage habits have not really changed since that discussion. I still mainly use ToughSystem tool boxes for bulky storage needs, and L-Boxxes for more categorized organization and storage.

I purchased all of my L-Boxxes, ToughSystem cases, and Systainer tool boxes from Amazon, except for the ones supplied by Bosch, Dewalt, Festool, and Tool Nut as media samples or as part of sample kits.

As mentioned, most were purchased before Christmas and Father’s Day with $20 or $25 off $100 coupons. Some were purchased as-needed. For reference, here is more information about Bosch’s $25 off $100 and Dewalt’s $25 off $100 holiday 2013 promos. My Systainer cantilever tool box was purchased elsewhere as it wasn’t yet available on Amazon.

27 Comments

I find the L-Boxx units to the best for my needs. While I would love to drink the green koolaid of Festool, not sure my wallet or marriage could handle it. Plus I am a DIYer not a pro, so I figure Bosch tools and cases are plenty overkill for my needs. Anyway, the L-Boxx units work great. I have around half a dozen right now and add them as Amazon’s specials arrive. I was able to reclaim some space from various tool cases by consolidating tools into the L-Boxxes. I do think they are pricey and definitely not as sturdy as the Dewalt beasts, but much more useful for me. I do wish Bosch sold inserts separately, although I suspect most of my Bosch tools are no longer current, and expect they would be too pricey for me even if so. Most of my tools are loose inside the cases, which is not really a problem since I don’t travel with them, but it is something to keep in mind if you are a pro. The cases stack OK, with my sometimes struggling to stack and unstack them. The rolling base is pricey, but I whipped up my own with some 1x lumber and cheap Harbor Freight casters. Definitely like being able to roll it around in my very cramped workspace.

Those Sortimo T-Boxxes look great, but they’re not available in the USA, at least not easily or at affordable prices.

I examined those organizers during my one and only visit to Harbor Freight, and I thought the cases were flimsy and the bins too flexible. I own a couple of Stanley 25-compartment organizers, which are worth the extra investment. The new shallow and deep organizers allow for easier connectivity but have larger bins which some might not like.

For me, I went HF because they stay in the garage, it’s not a trades item for me, and I needed like 20 of them for paint brushes, dremel tool components, drill bits, blah blah blah. 20x an extra $8-10 was too rich for my blood for this particular usage. I completely agree with you that were it something that I’d move around a lot and use for work, I’d go as high end as possible. That would be importing Sortimo!

I will add my vote for the deep DeWalt model Home Depot stocks that Stuart links back to. I have three of them. They do get heavy when filled with fasteners like an assortment of the awesome Spax screws (US and German made!), but they are sturdy and hold tight. That they stack together is icing on the cake!

I have both the Bosch and Festool variants. I bought the Festool Domino XL that came in a systainer and then added 3 sort-sys systainers to hold dominos – and a 495020 mobile base to wheel it all around. I like everything about this setup except the price.

I also sprung for a Bosch JS572EN jig saw that came in an L-Boxx . When I saw a post on Toolguyd about a cheap deal at Amazon – I sprung for 2 more L-boxes to hold my jigsaw blades and cutting jigs. like these very much – and the discounted deal price even more.

I have a good selection of Dewalt ToughSystem boxes and the one thing I didn’t see mentioned here that I think is the biggest win for this system is you can buy the dolly or some 1″ square tubing and some of the Dewalt ToughSystem hangers (~$20) and set some racks up on the wall. This allows you to access any box no matter where it is in the stack. Some of the other systems that you stack up you have to take apart the stack to get to some of your tools. Me I like to be able to get at any box at any time. Just what sold the system for me.

But if you’re building a wall-mounted rack, you should be able to build small shelves to hold individual L-Boxxes or Systainers as well. I put together wire shelving with extra shelves to be able to store individual and double-stacked L-boxxes.

Yes, Dewalt’s carrier allows you to access individual boxes, but they can also only hold very few cases. Plus Dewalt doesn’t make a 4-wheel dolly, which is a weakness to some.

If money were no object – the Sortimo stuff looks very nice – but so did our Lista and Stanley Vidmar storage in the commercial shops I was associated with. We lso used upfittters like Dejana to redo our trucks into rolling tool and parts boxes.

Any recommendations on small storage containers to use within the SMALL Tough Case Containers.

I have a toonnage of Festool tools…..but I am actually using the Tough Case for me, mainly for the ~touchness~ of it. Weight aside, but there are tradeoffs in any system. I picked up a bit of the small toughs, due to holiday rebates. The storage cases inside the small toughs are too large for *small parts* practical storage…..

The small Tough System containers come with these tall yellow bin boxes. I have a few dozen of these large bins in a bucket in storage – they’re too big for my uses too.

You could always pack it with common plastic compartmented small parts organizers. There aren’t many small bins tall enough to prevent spillage when moving the case around, which is why I recommend ones that close.

the stock case inserts are somewhat giganomorous. I suppose tall and skinny inserts would have been weird. It’s probaby awesome for a real *trades* guy, to stick a bunch of fittings, etc in it. Just not more -comparmentalized, small parts-.

Sigh. What to do. Maybe just order up some of the newer fatmax/dewalt small parts organizer with the Metal Latches. My *small parts* boxes are LOADED to the brim, and just short of my Low Voltage Small Parts Box, all the others, you can’t really hold them vertical with the plastic latch for too long, as they will bust open and make a obscence mess on the floor…..

Modular toolboxes have their place. I work out of an enclosed tool trailer. It works well, I park it at the jobsite and can lock it up/leave it there for some time. Within that tool trailer, I customized two vertical cubbies for festool’s systainers. I did that for one reason only: festool makes some equipment that makes my life easier. I am not into having the flashiest brands, or the most complete kit — I’m into tools that allow me to focus on my job: providing a quality product, safely and precisely. That being said, I think the tool boxes that you choose should entirely be wrapped around the equipment that suits your needs. Personally, the first festool item I owned was their track saw. I had a dewalt track saw before, which had its own case — but that case was not compatible with a few other dewalt tools that I own. It was a pain, since its size was inconsistent. I purposely sold the dewalt tracksaw and converted to festool because I also needed a router that had more features than the milwaukee 2hp unit that I had. So, I think you should base your system off what’s compatible with your work. The bosch units look very appealing, and if I owned any of their stuff…. I’d go right for it.

I now own about 10 festool units, and they fit nicely in my trailer. It is hard to mix systems, so I try to stay with festool when feasible — but I have strayed from the pack as needed. All other brands of tools fit in vertical cubbies and I ditch their boxes.

Let’s say I review a couple of cordless oscillating tools. A month later a new one comes out and readers ask for Brand A to be compared to Brand B. Then, six months later new accessories come out and readers ask how well they work with Brand C.

In the past I used to return or give review samples away soon after a review was published. Now, I hold onto them for a certain amount of time because questions will come up. Rather than ask for duplicate samples, I pull out the model of interest.

Let’s say I ask a local contributor to do further testing on a particular tool. I’ll fill up an L-Boxx to pass along. If I’m going to spend half a day testing rotary hammers, I pack them up into a ToughSystem case and bring one box along instead of separate space-wasting kit boxes.

There are also my personal tools. I used to water cool my computer and have a bunch of tools associated with that, such as hose clamps, tubing cutters, and hose clamp pliers. I don’t need them right now but don’t want to let go of them, so I bundled them with tubing cutters and plumbing-related tools.

I started with 16″ x 10″ x 6″ industrial bins in my workspace and found that modularizing tools and accessories greatly helps with storage and organization.

Last spring, right ahead of Father’s Day, Amazon was double-discounting L-Boxxes. $20 AND $25 off $100. That’s when my L-Boxx collection more than doubled.

Ultimately, having that many L-Boxxes saves me time and effort. I didn’t buy or acquire them all at once. First I received one from Bosch for review. Then I bought a couple for my tools. Then I bought a couple more. Then Bosch sent a bunch over. And then I bought maybe 50 more and began converting over from boxes, bins, and totes.

Modular tool boxes improved my efficiency at storing and transporting tools. They bring more order to what was a logistics nightmare.

Less time wasted on managing tools gives me more time to focus on my projects, tool testing, and tool reviews.

Stuart, sounds like a tour of your space is in order. I’d love to see a video where you demonstrate how the modular systems can be utilized as you describe here, and the time savings that using them creates.

Maybe eventually… right now things aren’t exactly pretty. I’m STILL working on getting things in order. I can get it all done in a couple of days if I stopped everything, or a few more weeks if I work around the chaos.

Sigh.

My biggest enemy is a lack of space. Second biggest enemy is the lack of wall-to-wall drawer cabinets that can be reconfigured every so often.

6-10 Festool Systainer Ports full of extra drawers and Systainers 1, 2, and 3 would be great but would cost a fortune.

My ultimate goal is to build a SystainerPort-like basic cabinet unit that can be used with the Bosch L-Boxxes I have, but time is my enemy here.

Right now, maybe 9/10 of my L-Boxxes are in off-site storage. My plan now is to create a barebones workspace at home. To expedite the process I have been hauling crates away. Once my workspace is clean, I’ll do a complete overhaul and THEN can finally document everything with photos. Of course, by then we’ll probably be moving to a new space.

This sounds like the type of question that Richie Rich would ask; Certainly not in the realm of reality concerning what a true tradesman would require. Being a tradesman I can honestly say that all four of the so called ‘modular’ storage systems listed are garbage to me. Why? For starters none of the brands link to another brand which means if I married a particular style then bought a new tool in a differing style I would have to ditch the original case that custom fits my tool for a case that doesn’t fit my tool but fits my system. Also, they all appear to come in only one color. Having tool cases of various sizes and colors makes finding the tool I need much quicker and easier as well as easier finding the right case to return a tool to. I suppose if you only had six tools this wouldn’t be much of an issue but I have hundreds of tools and need to choose amongst nearly 80 boxes, cases, and bags. If those were all the same color and shape… (gasp). As for parts storage; I use the Stanley removable compartment organizers for enmass screws and nails because the bins are sized about right to accept 1 and 5 lb. boxes and I can just take the compartment to the task as needed. For smaller quantity stuff I use “Workforce” or other generic brand with adjustable separators. The key is to buy cheap enough organizers that you are able to buy enough.

I think your confusing a fleet style setup with a tradesman setup. You dont have to buy a new box for every tool you own to still take advantage of a stackable system.. I went with the dewalt tough box’s they are for a tradesman and are made tuff enough to survive real field work. Its up to a person to decide how to best use the system. Myself I ditched all of the bagged tools, the bags pretty much all suck they dont stack their not easy to organize just junk. with a nice large modular box I can store multiple tools and whatever accessories I need all in one container. Then I can lock them as needed and stack multiple box’s on a hand truck for transport..

I have the Dewalt Tough System for my contractor set up. Set up I have the small, large, and XL with me at all times with the cart. In the small I carry a M12 impact, drill bits and specialty bits for my Drills as well as about 4 circular blades, some zip ties and misc crap.
In the large goes most of my Dewalt power. 18V sawzall, 20v brushless Hammer drilll, 20V brushless Impact, 18v Jig, 2 chargers, and 6 batteries on the tray on top.
In the XL goes the 18v Circular, 18V Oscilator, ryobi Airstrike. On top goes more batteries and nails and attachments for the Oscilator.
I can do most jobs with what I carry in those 3 bags plus my hand tools in the Veto Pro XL. When I need a table saw, tile saw, or Chop box I just add it to the mix. Mainly I do kitchen and bath remodels and have found this Dewalt tough system perfect for me.

I started off using Festool Systainers and found them fantastic. By the time they were getting very tired it was about when the Festool Tloc Systainers came out. I was a bit disappointed in how little they had progressed and that they were still relatively brittle.

I now have switched to Dewalt Toughsystem and they are streets ahead of the Systainers for me. Tough, waterproof and with loads of space inside for bigger tools. They also don’t really need clipping together as they locate great on top of each other. I have one set up for first and second fix nailers, another for plunge saw and planer, another for cordless drills and impacts and another for cordless saws and grinders. I label them up with printed labels

Systainers suit well for workshops but for out on site and in and out of vehicles Dewalt wins every time. And over in the UK they are a lot cheaper than Systainers or Lboxes.

HI, We would like to be listed as one of the brands listed on your site –
Champion Tool Storage
We manufacture all of our products in house under 1 roof in Hood River Oregon. We have been in business since 2006 and also manufacture custom solutions for the Military, Snap On, and a few smaller brands as well. Please let me know your thoughts about adding us and thanks for putting together such a great site!

i use tough system already 6 years and at the moment one damage but was fell down from 3th floor am happy with amount space inside boxes but they should do trolley pad at last for the xxl toughsystem and better l clamps all my boxes they gone
i got all set in my van on wall rack and easy to pull out each separate mission is to attach any label what inside

Hey Stuart, how about a follow up on toolbox systems? I currently use a mix of Stanley/dewalt/craftsman tstak and versastack since they all work together, and fit inside my truckbox well, but I’m looking at changing up.

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